U.S. patent number 6,154,900 [Application Number 09/362,381] was granted by the patent office on 2000-12-05 for patient turning apparatus.
Invention is credited to Mark Shaw.
United States Patent |
6,154,900 |
Shaw |
December 5, 2000 |
Patient turning apparatus
Abstract
A patient turning apparatus (10), for laterally rotating a
patient (30), the apparatus including an air supply, a pair of
inflatable bladders (14), each having a tab (18) extending from one
end, wherein the tab (18) is in communication with the bladder
(14), a connector (17) extending from each tab (18) and in
communication therewith, tubes connecting the connectors to the air
supply, a pair of sleeves (12) adapted to house pair of inflatable
bladders (14) and adjustably maintain bladders (14) in an
overlapping configuration, a head pad (37) removably attached to
the bladders (14), wherein the head pad (37) is adapted to
accommodate variously sized patients, a calf raiser (42) adapted to
accommodate variously sized patients, removably attached to the
sleeves (12), a pair of bolster retainers (52) removably attached
to the sleeves (12) each having a flap portion (54) and a retaining
loop (58), a pair of bolsters (50), adapted to slidably fit into
the retaining loops (58), a removable body pad (32) attached to the
bladders (14), and a plurality of straps (62, 64) releasably
attached to the body pad (32).
Inventors: |
Shaw; Mark (Diamond, OH) |
Family
ID: |
23425893 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/362,381 |
Filed: |
July 28, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/81.1R; 5/615;
5/632; 5/715; 5/922 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
7/001 (20130101); Y10S 5/922 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61G
7/00 (20060101); A61G 007/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/81.1R,81.1T,715,615,922,632 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Grosz; Alexander
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Renner, Kenner, Greive, Bobak,
Taylor & Weber
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A patient turning apparatus for laterally rotating a patient,
the apparatus comprising an air supply; a pair of at least
partially overlapping bladders in communication with said air
supply, said bladders being releasably attached to allow adjustment
of said bladders to accommodate different patients.
2. The patient turning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
body pad covering said bladders, wherein said body pad has a first
end, a second end, and sides.
3. The patient turning apparatus of claim 2, farther comprising at
least one bolster located adjacent to one side of said body
pad.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a pair of bolster
sleeves having a loop portion for receiving said bolsters;
a flap portion extending from said loop portion releasably attached
to said body pad.
5. The patient turning apparatus of claim 2, further
comprising:
a head pad removably attached to said body pad;
at least one strap removably attached to body pad;
a calf raiser located under the legs of the patient; and
a pair of bolsters adjacent said sides of said body pad.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the head pad includes a
generally rectangular pad, having a middle portion, an upper
portion, and a lower portion; the upper and lower edge portions
having a greater thickness than the middle portion.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said bolsters are generally
cylindrical pads having an attachment flap extending therefrom,
wherein said attachment flap releasably attaches to said body
pad.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said body pad is a generally
rectangular pad having a thickness, and said body pad covering said
bladders and said calf raiser.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said head pad, said calf
raiser, said bolsters, and said body pad are removably attached
with hook-and-eye closures.
10. The patient turning apparatus of claim 2, wherein said body pad
is longer than said bladders.
11. The patient turning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
calf raiser located under the calves of the patient.
12. The patient turning apparatus of claim 11, wherein the calf
raiser includes a generally rectangular pad having a half circular
profile.
13. The patient turning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a
head pad located under the head of the patient.
14. The patient turning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a
pair of sleeves each enveloping one of said bladders.
15. The patient turning apparatus of claim 14, wherein when one of
said bladders is inflated said overlapping configuration places an
apex of said bladder between the shoulder joint of the patient and
the spine of the patient.
16. The patient turning apparatus of claim 15 wherein said
overlapping configuration places said apex between the shoulder
joint of the patient and the scapula of the patient.
17. The patient turning apparatus of claim 15 wherein said bladders
are adjustable such that said apex is placed between the scapula of
the patient and the spine of the patient.
18. The patient turning apparatus of claim 17 wherein said
overlapping bladders are adjustable such that said apex is placed
beneath the scapula of the patient.
19. The patient turning apparatus of claim 18 wherein said
overlapping bladders are adjustable such that said apex is placed
beneath the long edge of the scapula of the patient.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of tabs
extending from and in communication with said bladders; a pair of
connectors extend from and in communication with said tabs.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising an air permeable
member housed within said tabs.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said air permeable member is
constructed of foam.
23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bladders having an
uninflatable portion located near the legs of the patient.
24. A method of laterally rotating a patient, comprising:
overlapping a pair of inflatable bladders connected to an air
supply said bladders being releasably attached to each other;
adjusting the amount of overlap such that upon inflation, an apex
of one bladder is located between the spine of the patient and one
shoulder of the patient;
laying the patient on said pair of bladders; and
feeding air from the air supply to at least one of said inflatable
bladders until one lung of the patient is elevated.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the amount of overlap is
adjusted such that said apex is located between the scapula of the
patient and the spine of the patient.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the amount of overlap is
adjusted placing said apex beneath the edge of the scapula of the
patient.
27. The method of claim 24 further comprising the steps of:
before laying the patient on said pair of bladders, placing a body
pad over said pair of bladders;
attaching a first strap at a side of said body pad;
attaching a pair of shoulder straps to one end of said body
pad;
positioning a head pad to support the head of a patient;
positioning a calf raiser beneath the legs of the patient;
attaching a bolster retainer having a loop portion and a flat
portion, such that said flat portion is secured to an underside of
said body pad, holding the loop portion adjacent to said body
pad;
after laying the patient on top of said body pad, inserting a
bolster within said loop portion;
laterally extending said first strap over said patient and securing
said first strap to an opposite side of said body pad; and
extending said pair of shoulder straps inwardly over the shoulders
of the patient and securing said pair of straps to said first
strap.
28. A patient turning apparatus, for laterally rotating a patient,
the apparatus comprising:
an air supply;
a pair of inflatable bladders, each having a tab extending from one
end, wherein said tab is in fluid communication with said
bladder;
a connector extending from each tab and in communication
therewith;
tubes connecting the connectors to said air supply;
a pair of sleeves each enclosing one of said pair of inflatable
bladders and wherein said sleeves are releasably attached to each
other, such that said sleeves adjustably maintain said bladders in
an overlapping configuration;
a body pad removably attached to said sleeves;
a head pad removably attached to said body pad, wherein said head
pad is adapted to accommodate variously sized patients;
a calf raiser adapted to accommodate variously sized patients,
wherein said calf raiser is removably attached to said body
pad;
a pair of bolster retainers having a flap portion and a retaining
loop, wherein said bolster retainers are removably attached to said
body pad along said flap portion;
a pair of bolsters, adapted to slidably fit into said retaining
loops; and
a plurality of straps releasably attached to said body pad, wherein
said straps are adapted to secure the patient to said body pad.
29. A method of laterally rotating a patient having a spine located
between first and second shoulders comprising:
providing a patient turning apparatus having first and second
inflatable bladders connected to an air supply, the first bladder
having a first apex and the second bladder having a second apex,
when inflated;
configuring the bladders beneath the patient such that when
inflated the first apex of the first bladder contacts the patent
between the spine and the first shoulder and the second apex of the
second bladder contacts the patient between the spine and the
second shoulder throughout the rotation of the patient; and
selectively inflating at least one of the bladders to elevate one
side of the patient.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of configuring the
bladders beneath the patient includes placing the apexes of the
first and second bladders beneath respective scapula of the
patient.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to patient turning
apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an
apparatus that uses air pressure to laterally rotate a patient.
Specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus that
uses overlapping inflatable air bladders to laterally rotate a
patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The number one cause of patient death during a hospital stay is
pneumonia. This disease causes the patient's lungs to fill with
fluid. It has been found that turning or rotating a patient,
elevating one lung above the other, aids in evacuating this fluid
from the patient's lungs. In this way, turning mobilizes the fluid
in the bronchial tree, where it can work its way into the esophagus
and be expectorated.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,007 by Hasty, shows a patient turning device
that uses spaced inflatable chambers to turn the patient. Hasty
turns the patient by partially inflating the spaced chambers and
deflating one of the chambers while inflating the other rolling the
patient onto its side. Since the chambers are spaced, the apex of
the inflated chamber applies force along or outside the patient's
extremities, parallel to the spine, near the shoulder area. Thus,
the line of force created by the inflated chamber is placed at a
large distance from the patient's spine. In larger patients, the
line of force would be located beneath the arm and shoulder, and in
smaller patients, the line would be outside the shoulder.
Disadvantageously, this force is at least partially absorbed by the
movement of the shoulder girdle and shoulder joint.
Specifically, application of force outside the shoulder would cause
rotation and flexion of the arm within the shoulder joint. This
force would similarly cause movement of the shoulder girdle. The
shoulder girdle is made up of the clavicle or collar bone and the
scapula or shoulder blade. The clavicle and scapula meet at the
acromaclavicular joint. The clavicle extends from this joint and
meets the manubrium of the sternum at the sternoclavicular joint.
Application of force outside the shoulder or on the shoulder causes
protraction or forward movement of the distal end of the clavicle.
Protraction is seen as an inward-bowing of the shoulder and torso
relative to spine. Since Hasty applies a line of force outside or
at the shoulder, the initial application of force is absorbed by
this motion of the shoulder joint and shoulder girdle, and as a
result, less force is initially transmitted to turning the
patient.
Furthermore, the Hasty device does not provide adequate constraint
for the patient. One major problem during turning is that the
patient will slide while performing the turn. The patient can slide
onto the wrong side of the inflatable chamber and possibly off the
overlay, or the patient will slide towards the uninflated chamber
but away from the apex of the inflated chamber lessening the angle
of turn. In Hasty's patent, the space between the inflatable side
bolster and the patient allows the patient to slide into this
area.
As a further disadvantage, the Hasty device does not adequately
allow for various patient sizes. Its outrigger chambers are
inflatable chambers forming a part of the overlay. Thus, these
chambers cannot be moved inwardly or outwardly depending on the
patient's size. Furthermore, inflatable bolsters are prone to
leakage. A leaking bolster may not be capable of holding sufficient
air to support and contain the patient.
In Hasty and other known devices, there is very little head and
calf support. In fact, some known devices cannot operate with a
head pad. Without support, the patient's head can hang to one side
or the other bending the neck causing discomfort and, in some
cases, injury. With respect to the lack of calf support, in the
Hasty patent, the patient's heels rest on the overlay or bed.
During the turn, the weight distribution will shift to the lower
side of the body. Consequently, the lower heel will be subjected to
a great deal of force compressing the heel and causing the patient
discomfort and, in some cases, pressure sores. Moreover, treatment
often requires the patient be held in this position for extended
periods. During these periods, the patient's lower heel bears a
large portion of the patient's body weight. This constant pressure
can result in great discomfort, pressure sores, or other
injuries.
Thus, there is a need for an adjustable patient turning device
capable of accommodating various sized patients and equipped to
turn the patient with reduced initial force absorption. There is a
further need for a patient turning device that is more comfortable,
provides head support, lifts the patient's heels, and prevents the
patient from slipping. There is still a further need for a patient
turning device that applies force between the spine and
shoulder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to
provide a novel patient turning apparatus capable of accommodating
various sized patients, while applying force between the patient's
shoulder and spine reducing initial force absorption.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus that uses overlapping inflatable bladders to turn a
patient.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus that elevates the patient's heels during the turn
reducing the likelihood of pressure sores.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus that restrains the patient to reduce patient sliding.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a more
comfortable patient turning apparatus.
In general, the present invention contemplates a patient turning
apparatus for laterally rotating a patient, including an air
supply, a pair of at least partially overlapping bladders in
communication with the air supply.
The present invention further contemplates a patient turning
apparatus for laterally rotating a patient, including an air
supply, a pair of inflatable bladders, each having a tab extending
from one end, where the tab is in communication with the bladder, a
connector extending from each tab and in communication with
therewith, and tubes connecting the connectors to the air supply, a
pair of sleeves each enclosing one of the inflatable bladders and
wherein the sleeves are releasably attached to each other such that
the sleeves adjustably maintain the bladders in an overlapping
configuration; a body pad removably attached to the sleeves; a head
pad removably attached to the body pad, wherein the head pad is
adapted to accommodate variously sized patients; a calf raiser
adapted to accommodate variously sized patients, removably attached
to the body pad; a pair of bolster retainers having a flat portion
and a retaining loop, wherein said bolster retainers are removably
attached to said body pad along said flat portion; a pair of
bolsters adapted to slidably fit into the retaining loops; and a
plurality of straps releasably attached to the body pad, wherein
said straps are adapted to secure the patient to the body pad.
The present invention still further contemplates a method of
laterally rotating a patient, including the steps of: at least
partially overlapping a pair of inflatable bladders connected to an
air supply; adjusting the amount of overlap such that upon
inflation, an apex of one bladder is located between the spine of
the patient and the shoulder of the patient; laying the patient on
the pair of bladders; and feeding air from the air supply to at
least one of the inflatable bladders until one side of the patient
is elevated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an assembly drawing illustrating the various components
which may comprise a patient turning apparatus of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of two inflatable members according to the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the two members shown in FIG. 2 as they
may be overlapped to form the patient turning apparatus of FIG. 1;
and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of the present invention as taken at
line 4--4 of FIG. 3 illustrating the inflation of one of the
members, the inflated portion being shown in ghost lines.
FIG. 5 is a head-end view of the total patient turning apparatus of
FIG. 1 illustrating the turning of a patient shown in ghost lines
for the purpose of the description; and
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal left side view of the patient turning
apparatus with some members removed for the purpose of the
description and illustrating a repositioning of a human form upon
inflation of the right-hand member of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It has been found that a patient can be efficiently and
aggressively turned using overlapping pneumatic bladders as part of
a patient turning apparatus. One representative form of a patient
turning apparatus embodying the concepts of the present invention
is designated generally by numeral 10 on the accompanying drawings.
The patient turning apparatus 10 may have at least one sleeve 12
housing two inflatable members or bladders 14. As shown in FIG. 1,
each bladder 14 may be placed in its own sleeve 12. Sleeves 12 act
essentially as slip covers reducing direct wear to bladders 14 and
providing an attachment point for fasteners, such as, VELCRO. In
this way, the fasteners do not have to be fixed to the bladders 14.
In the event that one of the bladders 14 needs to be replaced or
serviced, sleeve 12 may be provided with openings at each end with
VELCRO closures (not shown).
Bladders 14 may be generally cylindrical when inflated. When
uninflated, bladders 14 may appear as flat rectangular bodies. It
should be recognized that bladders 14 may be constructed of almost
any shape that applies force capable of elevating one lung of the
patient. For example, bladders 14 may be shaped to have a cut-out
near the patient's legs to help maintain the patient in general
axial alignment with the patient turning apparatus 10. By
maintaining this alignment, the patient is held in a more
comfortable position.
As an alternative, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bladders 14 may be
provided with uninflatable portions 15 to provide an uninflated
area near the patient's legs. Preventing a portion of the bladders
from inflating can be accomplished in any known manner. As an
example, the uninflatable portion may be isolated from the
inflatable portion by a welded seam.
As shown in FIG. 2, uninflatable portions 15 are located near the
inside edge 16 of the bladders 14 and toward one end of the
bladders 14. The uninflatable portions 15 have a generally
rectangular shape that tapers toward the inside edge 16 near the
center of the bladders 14. As best shown in FIG. 3, when
overlapped, the uninflated portions 15 of bladders 14 cooperate to
form a generally rectangular uninflated area with outwardly tapered
ends. During operation, this uninflated area creates a recess to
which the elevated leg is drawn.
Each bladder 14 has a tube or connector 17 that is in fluid
communication with the air supply and the bladder 14. As shown in
FIG. 2, connectors 17 are mounted on tabs 18 that extend through
the sides of sleeves 12. Tabs 18 extend from bladders 14 and are in
fluid communication with the bladders 14. A small pad constructed
of air permeable material is inserted within each tab to provide
some rigidity. In this way, the tab 18 is less vulnerable to
folding, bending, or other forms of compression that could cut off
or impede the supply of air entering tabs 18 from connectors 17 and
passing into bladder 14. It should be understood that a wide
variety of materials could be used for this purpose including solid
materials with internal passages. As shown, tabs 18 are filled with
foam.
Tabs 18 space connectors 17 from sleeve 12 lessening the likelihood
of having a patient interfere with the supplied air flow. The
connectors 17 receive air from a suitable air supply (not shown),
such as a pump or pressurized tank. Air flow is channeled by
suitable conduits or tubing to connectors 17 from the air supply.
Similarly, the flow rate, period of inflation, and inflation of the
individual bladders 14 in synchrony or in an alternating fashion
can be controlled by any known manner. As one example, connectors
17 are fed separately by tubes running from a manifold. Another
tube extends from the air supply 18 to supply the manifold with
air. It should be understood that the manifold may receive air from
two supply tubes to feed each bladder directly, or the manifold may
be omitted. Without a manifold, bladders 14 may fed air directly
from air supply.
During inflation, air is directed from the air supply into bladders
14. Bladders 14 are at least partially overlapped defining an
overlapped portion therebetween. Because bladders 14 are
overlapped, the apex 24, or highest portion, of the inflated
bladder 14 is between the patient's spine and shoulder. In one
exemplary placement, the apex 24 is about 4 inches from an average
adult patient's spine. It should be recognized that ideal placement
of the apex is a function of the patient size, and adjustment of
the amount of overlap can be made to accommodate different patient
sizes. It should be further understood that various sized bladders
14 may be used to change the maximum angle of elevation. To
maintain proper placement of the apex, the amount of overlap may
vary in reverse proportion to the patient size, or if larger
bladders are used it may vary relative to the bladders. For
example, a very large angle of elevation may require larger
bladders to perform the turn. In this case, the uninflated larger
bladders would have an increased width as compared to a smaller
bladder. Since the apex is approximately at the center of the
bladder 14, the larger bladders would have a greater portion of
their widths overlapping each other to bring the bladder apex
between the patient's spine and shoulder.
Since the apex 24 is between the spine and shoulder, there is
reduced body flexion. In particular, as the line of force created
by apex 24 moves inwardly from the patient's shoulder, the movement
about the shoulder joint and the shoulder girdle is reduced.
Considering only the shoulder joint, a line of force applied
beneath the shoulder joint does not create a moment about that
joint and, at most, would cause external rotation of the shoulder,
which would not absorb the elevational force of bladder 14.
Turning to the shoulder girdle, protraction of the shoulder girdle
is allowed by the sternoclavicular joint. As the line of force or
apex 24 moves inwardly from the shoulder, the moment arm created
between apex 24 and this joint is reduced. As a consequence, the
moment about this joint is likewise reduced. Reducing the moments
about the shoulder joint and shoulder girdle results in reduced
internal rotation and protraction, respectively, and therefore,
less force absorption.
As the apex 24 reaches a point substantially beneath the center of
the clavicle, the moments about the sternoclavicular joint are
substantially offset by soft tissue structures that stabilize the
shoulder girdle. At this point, the protraction of the shoulder
girdle is essentially eliminated. This point generally corresponds
to the interior or long edge of the scapula or approximately four
inches from an average patient's spine. As previously stated, the
size of the patient will alter the position of this point relative
to the patient's spine, and the amount of overlap or size of the
bladders may be adjusted accordingly.
By placing the apex 24 between the patient's spine and shoulder,
less of the bladder force is absorbed by movement of the shoulder
joint and girdle, but instead, more force is transmitted toward
turning the patient 30. As a result, the patient is aggressively
and accurately turned. The amount of turn can be controlled by
controlling the amount of air supplied to each bladder 14. Control
of the air supply can be managed manually or automatically by a
suitable control device. The controller could adjust the amount of
air, or alternate inflation of the bladders. For example, during
extended stays, the patient may need to be turned repeatedly from
one side to the other. Suitable controls can be used to perform
this function automatically.
To improve the bladder's effectiveness and provide a more
comfortable turn, several components may be used individually or in
combination with bladder 14. It should be understood that these
components may be permanently attached to each other or bladders
14. Preferably, all of the components are removably fastened to
ease cleaning and storage of the device. Suitable removable
fasteners devices include hook-and-eye closures, such as VELCRO,
snaps, or buttons. VELCRO is most preferable because of its ease of
use, and because a continuous surface can be maintained. This
surface prevents fluids from gathering around fasteners or seeping
between them. Moreover, VELCRO attachment allows easy adjustment of
each component to accommodate different patient sizes.
During the turning procedure, body pad 32 supports and cushions the
patient's body. Body pad 32 is a generally rectangular pad of
substantially constant thickness. It should be understood that body
pad 32 may be contoured to fit the patient or provide additional
support in a specific area. For example, body pad 32 may have an
integral calf raiser. Body pad 32, also, may cover the bladder 14,
or extend beyond the bladders 14 to act as a head pad or calf
raiser. Alternatively, body pad 32 may cover the head pad, calf
raiser 42, or both. To keep body pad 32 from moving, body pad 32 is
preferably secured to bladders 14 by VELCRO.
A VELCRO strip may be centrally attached to underside 34 of body
pad 32. This strip would interlock with a corresponding strip on
sleeve 12. Similar strips may be placed at the edges 36 of body pad
32 to secure other components as described more fully below.
The head pad 37, shown in FIG. 1, is a generally rectangular shaped
pad. As can be appreciated virtually any shaped pad large enough to
support the patient's head is acceptable. Head pad 37 has a head
pad thickness 38. Preferably, head pad thickness 38 decreases
slightly in a middle portion of head pad 37 cradling the patient's
head, and keeping the patient's airway open.
As shown, head pad 37 has a VELCRO tongue 40 extending from the
bottom of the head pad. This tongue 40 is located near the center
of the front edge 41 of head pad 37. A corresponding strip of
VELCRO is attached to body pad 32. The length of the VELCRO tongue
40 allows the head pad 37 to be moved closer to or farther from
bladders 14. Only a portion of tongue 40 must be interlockigly
engaged with the receiving VELCRO on the bladders 14 to secure the
head pad 37. In this way, head pad 37 may be moved to accommodate
different sized patients. For example, to move head pad 37 away
from bladders 14, only the tip of tongue 40 interlockingly engages
the receiving strip on body pad 32. To further accommodate
different sized patients, different sized pillows can be used to
ensure the patient's head is supported substantially throughout the
turning process. Use of the VELCRO tongue 40 facilitates
substitution of a different sized pillow to fit the patient. Using
different sized pillows allows the head pad to be placed
immediately adjacent to sleeve 12 while providing sufficient
padding to extend around the patient's head.
At the opposite end of sleeve 12, a calf raiser pad 42 is placed
beneath the patient's calves, and elevates the patient's legs to
aid in the turning process. So elevated, the patient's heels 40 are
suspended above the supporting surface 46 and free to rotate. The
pad's thickness is used to contact and support the patient under
the calves, while providing space for the heels to hang freely. As
shown, the calf raiser 42 has a semicircular profile 49 that
contacts the patient's calves, and is sized, such that, the
patient's heels extend beyond the pad 42 to hang freely. To allow
for different patient heights, calf raiser 42 is movable. As can be
appreciated, a suitably sized pad placed beneath the patient's legs
will raise the patient's heels. Since the weight of the patient's
legs may be used to hold the calf raiser 42 in place, calf raiser
42 does not have to be attached to body pad 32. Or, calf raiser 42
may be secured to body pad 32 by VELCRO, in a similar manner to the
head pad 37. As with head pad 37, the calf raiser 42 is shown as a
generally rectangular-shaped pad with a raised thickness, and,
similarly, any shape capable of supporting the patient's calves 38
throughout the turn can be used.
At times, patients will slip or slide as they are turned.
Anticipating this sliding makes it difficult to aggressively turn
the patient. Moreover, as the patient slides away from the
bladder's apex 24, the patient's angle of elevation decreases
reducing the turn's effectiveness. To prevent sliding, side
bolsters 50 may be placed alongside the patient 30. As shown, side
bolsters 50 are constructed of foam, but bolsters 50 may be filled
with other padding materials including gas. Adjusting the bolsters
50 to hug the patient 30 helps prevent sliding during the turn. As
best shown in FIG. 5, bolsters 50 may be positioned to hug the
patient by inserting them within adjustable bolster retainers 52.
Bolster retainer 52 has a flap portion 54 with a strip of VELCRO 56
attached near the edge of the flap 54. At least one bolster
retaining loop 58 extends from the flap portion 54. The flap
portions 54 can be attached to corresponding VELCRO strips on the
body pad 32 or on each other. The VELCRO strips are sized, or a
plurality of strips can be used, to allow inward and outward
movement of the bolster retainers 52.
In operation, the flap portions 54 are laid out and adjusted to
accommodate the patient's torso before the patient lays on top of
the apparatus 10. Finally, the bolsters 50 are inserted within the
bolster retaining loop 58. It should be understood that bolsters 50
can be attached directly to body pad 32 by flap portion 54. Use of
the separately insertable bolsters 50 is preferred, however,
because these retainers are easily rolled up before the patient
lays on the apparatus. Once the patient is on the apparatus 10, the
patient 30 may be lifted to one side to allow final adjustment of
the retaining loops 58. Once adjusted, retainers 52 and any other
components are unrolled flat on the supporting surface. Then, the
patient is laid down, and bolsters 50 may be inserted close to the
patient 30.
To further hold the patient 30, straps may be positioned over or
around the patient's body. In addition to bolsters 50, these straps
may hold patient 30 in place during the turn. Moreover straps may
be used to hold the patient in a better position for turning, and
give the patient a sense of security during the turn. These straps
may be placed at various locations, depending on the treatment
conditions to secure the patient 30. For example, at times patients
are left with open wounds after surgery, but still must be turned.
In these situations, the straps are moved to avoid contact with
wound. As shown in FIG. 5, the straps preferably will extend across
the patient's torso and over the patient's shoulders. Lateral
straps 62 restrict sideward patient motion, and shoulder straps 64
restrict forward patient movement. Restricting forward movement
reduces the likelihood of placing pressure on the patient's head
and spine, or moving the head and spine from their proper turning
position.
Although lateral straps 62 and shoulder straps 64 may be attached
to the supporting surface, the sleeve 12, or any other object close
to bladders 14, it is preferred to attach the straps to body pad
32. In this way, the straps remain in essentially the same
configuration throughout the turn. If the straps, however, are
attached to the sleeve 12, for example, the tension on the straps
will increase as the patient is elevated away from sleeve 12. This
increased tension may constrict the patient, causing discomfort. To
attach the straps to body pad 32, the lateral strap ends(not shown)
and shoulder strap ends 68 are provided with VELCRO strips that
engage corresponding strips on underside 34 of body pad 32. Lateral
straps 62 may further be provided with VELCRO on their outside
surface 70 to attach to corresponding VELCRO strips on the
underside 72 of shoulder straps 64.
In general, the patient turning apparatus components are covered
with any type of material. It is preferable to use polymeric
materials, including GORTEX, that are liquid impervious to prevent
liquids from soaking into the padding. More preferable materials
include vinyls and nylons. It is most preferable to use a nylon
with low moisture vapor transfer because of its comfort level.
To turn a patient with the patient turning apparatus 10, sleeve 12
is placed on top of the supporting surface, the body pad 32 is
attached to sleeve 12 by VELCRO, if necessary. The head pad 37,
calf raiser 42, and bolsters 50 may be attached to body pad 32.
Similarly, the lateral straps 62 and shoulder straps 64 are
attached by VELCRO to the underside of body pad 32. The patient is
laid on top of the apparatus 10, and side bolsters 50 are inserted
into their respective bolster retaining loops 58. Finally, the
patient 30 is strapped in with the straps.
To turn the patient 30, air from the air supply is directed into
one of the bladders 14. As the bladder 14 inflates, the apex 24
transmits force to an area between the patient's spine and shoulder
elevating one side of the patient. To achieve proper placement of
the force line, it may be necessary to change the bladder size and
adjust the amount of overlap. For example, for a very large person,
larger bladders 14 may be required to lift the patient. Larger
bladders 14 would have increased widths and, accordingly, the
distance between the apex 24 and the edge of bladders 14 would be
increased. To accommodate this increase and place the apex 24 near
the optimal position, the amount of overlap between the two
bladders 14 would increase. Smaller bladders 14 and reduced overlap
may be necessary for smaller patients, such as, children. Once
appropriately placed, one bladder 14 is inflated to elevate one
side of the patient 30. During this elevation the bolsters 50 and
straps cooperate to snugly hold the patient in place.
Since straps are attached to body pad 32, the strap configuration
remains generally uniform. When straps are attached to body pad 32,
the patient and the straps are elevated at the same time. It should
be understood that the configuration of straps may change to an
extent due to the shift in the patient's weight distribution during
the turn.
Thus, it should be clear from above description that the objects of
the invention have been achieved by the patient turning apparatus
and methods described therein. While a only preferred embodiment of
the invention has been described in detail, it should be understood
that modifications could be made thereto, and are intended to be
included within the present invention. Accordingly, to appreciate
the scope of the present invention, reference should be made to the
following claims.
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